Search for a Star by Cindy Jefferies Page B

disappointment. “I’d never get away with it.”
    Sophie looked stubborn. “Yes you will. If—” she took hold of the light raincoat Ellie had put on to come out. “I know! Button him inside your coat. Go on. They’ll never notice him then. They’ll just think you’re a bit plump.” Sophie saw Ellie’s doubtful expression and laughed.
    â€œWhat’s the worst they’re going to do?” she said. “Throw you out, that’s all. And if they do I’ll go with you. Come on. It’ll be a laugh. And what harm can it do? Ferdinand won’t disgrace himself will he? He’ll be on the lead.”
    â€œWell…”
    â€œI’d hold him, but he knows you better than me.” Sophie shook Ellie’s arm. “Go on. Say yes. I’ll link arms with you, and I’ll hand in the tickets. You said you wanted to take my mind off my problems. Well come on then!”
    Ellie couldn’t help laughing, even though she was scared at the idea of being caught by the ticket collectors. “I thought you were sensible!” she said.
    â€œI am usually,” said Sophie. “And I wouldn’t have suggested bringing Ferdinand just so we could try this trick…but we’re here now, and we have him with us…and it seems a shame to just give up. Isn’t tomorrow the last day?”
    Ellie looked at the huge sign outside the exhibition hall. “Yes. But the filming is today.”
    â€œWell then. Come on. If it doesn’t work I won’t mind. We can go to the park instead, and I’ll buy you an ice cream…unless it rains, in which case we’ll have to go to a café and leave Ferdinand tied up outside.”
    â€œI couldn’t do that! Angel would have a fit . Imagine if he got stolen! She’d never forgive me.” Ellie gave him an awkward stroke through her coat. “Okay then. Let’s try it. But I hope my mum never gets to hear about this. She’d go almost as ballistic as Angel.”
    Sophie grinned. “I won’t tell her if you don’t. Right. Tuck Ferdi in, and I’ll do your coat up to hide him.”
    They were both giggling uncontrollably by the time Ferdinand was properly buttoned inside Ellie’s coat. “You look pregnant,” said Sophie, as she stood back to look at Ellie.
    â€œWell thanks a bunch!” said Ellie, trying to sound affronted and failing. “Come on. If we’re going to do this we ought to do it now. He’s not going to stay still for very long.”
    â€œAll right. Let’s go.” Sophie checked that Ferdinand’s nose was well out of sight and the two girls hurried to the entrance. Sophie was right, the ticket collectors weren’t very interested in them. There were two of them, having a chat. They took the complimentary tickets, looked briefly into Sophie’s bag and waved the girls through the security gates, and continued their conversation. In a matter of moments Ellie, Sophie and Ferdinand were all inside, and the girls were trying not to collapse with laughter.
    â€œWhere’s this pretend harbour with real water and boats then?” said Sophie, trying to sober up a bit.
    â€œI don’t know,” said Ellie. “The harbour is where the filming will be, but here it’s all just trade stands.”
    In fact, it was all trade stands as far as they could see, rows and rows of them, all showing anything and everything that a sailor could possibly want. Some of the stands looked unbelievably boring, with lots of gadgets that meant nothing to Ellie or Sophie. But others were more promising. There was a boot stand that had a huge array of colourful sailing boots and shoes.
    â€œThere are boots with built-in trousers!” said Ellie with a squeal. “Look! They’ve got braces to hold them up.”
    â€œHaven’t you ever seen those before?” said Sophie.
    Ellie shook her head. “Look